SYSTEM FOR MODULATING PLANT GROWTH OR ATTRIBUTES

• US 20100115830A1
• Filed: 03/20/2008
• Published: 05/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Heliospectra AB
• Original Assignee: Heliospectra AB
• Inventors: Dubé, Sylvain
• Granted Patent: US 8,850,742 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 47/17
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 7/045 with electric lighting
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/635 Photosynthetic material analysis, e.g. chrorophyll
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6486 Measuring fluorescence of biological material, e.g. DNA, RNA, cells G01N21/6428 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/14 Measures for saving energy, e.g. in green houses

Abstract

A system (1) for modulating growth or attributes of at least one part (2) of one or more plants comprising chlorophyll is disclosed. The system (1) comprises at least one light emitting device (3), such as a light emitting diode (LED), for irradiating the at least one part (2), at least one light sensor (4) for picking up light from the at least one part (2), communication capabilities (5) for facilitating communication between the at least one light sensor (4), the at least one light emitting device, and a processor (6). The processor (6) reads data from the at least one light sensor (4) via the communication capabilities (5), generates a control signal based on the data and a reference, and then controls, based on the control signal, the at least one light emitting device (3) via the communication capabilities in order to modulate plant growth or plant attributes.

Claims

1-11. -11. (canceled)

12. System for improving growth of at least one part of one or more plants comprising chlorophyll, the system comprising:

at least one light emitting device for irradiating the at least one plant part;

at least one light sensor for picking up light from the at least one plant part;

a processor;

communication capabilities for facilitating communication between the at least one light sensor, the at least one light emitting device, and the processor, wherein the processor reads data from the at least one light sensor via the communication capabilities, generates a control signal based on the data and a reference, controls, based on the control signal, the at least one light emitting device via the communication capabilities in order to improve plant growth and attributes, and wherein said sensor is arranged to monitor plant biochemical attributes by means of picking up light incidence in combination with light reflectance and/or light fluorescence and that said processor is arranged to modulate and improve plant biochemical characteristics based on said monitored data.

13. System according to claim 12, further comprising a plurality of light emitting devices.

14. System according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of light emitting devices emit light with different frequency characteristics.

15. System according to claim 12, wherein light emitted from the at least one light emitting device is related to at least one characteristic parameter of the photosynthetic process.

16. System according to claim 12, wherein the light sensor measures at least one light intensity corresponding to a wavelength of at least one of R (Red, 630 to 700 nm), FR (Far Red, 700 to 740 nm), NIR (Near Infrared, 750 to 850 nm), IR (Infra-Red, 850 to 1400 nm) or PAR (photosynthetically active radiation, 400 to 700 nm).

17. System according to claim 12, wherein the monitored data is related to measuring at least one biochemical process from at least one biochemical substance.

18. System according to claim 12, wherein the light sensor measures at least one light intensity corresponding to a wavelength of BG (Blue Green, 400 to 630 nm).

19. System according to claim 12, further comprising at least one fan for accomplishing an airflow in relation to the at least one plant part and the control signal further comprising a fan signal control.

20. System according to claim 19, wherein the at least one fan is located near the at least one light emitting device for accomplishing a cooling of the at least one light emitting device.

21. System according to claim 12, further comprising at least one of:

one or more gas meters for measuring CO₂ and Relative Humidity levels in the air surrounding the at least one plant part, the meters being located within a measuring distance in relation to the at least one plant part and being connected to the processor,

an air flow meter for measuring the air flow in close proximity of the at least one plant part, the air flow meter being connected to the processor, and

a temperature sensor for measuring temperature of the air surrounding the at least one plant part.

22. System according to claim 12, wherein said at least one part of a plant is arranged to grow in at least one of greenhouses, growth cabinet or warehouse.

23. System according to claim 12, wherein the light emitting device is an LED.